Mile High Prep Reports Top Returning Defense’s Class 2A
Picking the best returning defenses is not an easy task but of course it’s always fun to take a look. I am using PPG given up last year and looking what teams are returning. This is one of my favorite articles to write and defense usually wins championships. I will release my preseason Class 2A Top 16 tomorrow. We are also going to continue doing are Media Polls if you are interested send me a message or email.
| High School | Stats |
| Wellington HS | Their defense gave up 144 points last year which was 6th best in Class 2A. Wellington heading into their 3rd year as a program should take a big step forward this year. They return their entire starting defense from last season. Wellington also gave up just 14.4 ppg last season and look for Wellington to be a top 5 defense this year. |
| Classical Academy HS | Their defense gave up 184 points last year which was 11th best in Class 2A. TCA returns 8 of their top 13 tackles including 3 of their top 6. They also return a solid group up front with 4 of their top TFL and their top 3 pass rushers all coming back. TCA will look to build off last season success and giving up just 16.7 ppg they should be a top 5 defense. |
| Delta HS | Their defense gave up 96 points last year which was 3rd best in Class 2A. Delta only gave up 7.3 ppg which was tied for 2nd best in Class 2A. Delta is your defending State Champions, and it was built on their defense. Delta will have some reloading to do this year returning just 5 of their top 13 tacklers. Delta will have leadership back returning 2 of their top 5 tacklers. |
| Woodland Park HS | Their defense gave up 228 points last year which was 21st best in Class 2A. Woodland Park will look to make huge improvement on defense this year and return the talent to do so. Woodland Park returns 11 of their top 13 tacklers and 4 of their top 6. Woodland Park should be a top 10 defense this year. |
| Brush HS | Their defense gave up 165 points last year which was 7th best in Class 2A. Brush made big strides on defense last year and this unit should take a step forward this year. Brush returns 7 of their top 13 tacklers and 3 of their top 5. Brush should improve on a 16.5 ppg average and should stay in the top 10 defensively this season. |
| Basalt HS | Their defense gave up 193 points last year which was 12th best in Class 2A. Basalt continues to be a team who reaches the playoffs, but they will look to make a deep run this season. Basalt returns 7 of their top 13 tacklers and 3 of their top 6. Basalt might be searching for size up front but with a solid leadership look for Basalt to be a top 10 defense this year. |
| Berthoud HS | Their defense gave up 67 points last year which was the best-in-Class 2A. Berthoud improved a ton last season moving from outside the top 10 defensively to the best defense in Class 2A. Berthoud will have some key holes to fill returning just 6 of their top 13 tacklers. Berthoud does have leadership coming back with 3 of their top 5 tacklers returning. Berthoud will have some size to replace but don’t look for Berthoud defensively to drop much this season. |
| Sterling HS | Their defense gave up 238 points last year which was 23rd best in Class 2A. Sterling is coming off back-to-back 4-5 season and they will look for a playoff push this year. Sterling returns 9 of their top 13 tacklers and 5 of their top 6 from last season. Sterling should improve to a top 12 defense this season and if the defense makes big improvement look for them to make a playoff run. |
| Weld Central HS | Their defense gave up 254 points last year which was 26th best in Class 2A. Weld Central will be in the hunt for the playoffs this season and they must have their defense improve this year. Weld Central returns 9 of their top 13 tacklers and 3 of their top 6. If Weld Central wants to push for a playoff spot the defense must improve to a top 16 unit. |
| Pagosa Springs HS | Their defense gave up 165 points last year which was 8th best in Class 2A. Pagosa Springs had a solid season a year ago reaching the quarterfinals. Pagosa Springs lose some key pieces from the defense but return 7 of their top 13 tacklers from a season ago. Leadership will be the biggest question mark returning just 2 of their top 6 tacklers. If Pagosa Springs can find the leadership look for this defense to be a top unit this year. |
| Gunnison HS | Their defense gave up 176 points last year which was 4th best in Class 1A. Gunnison makes the move from Class 1A to Class 2A this year. Gunnison will have plenty of talent returning on both sides of the ball but look out for their defense which should be a top 10 unit again this year. Gunnison returns 8 of their top 13 tacklers and 3 of their top 6 from a season ago. We will see how Gunnison handles making the move from Class 1A to 2A but I think they are a top 10 defensive unit regardless. |
| Resurrection Christian | Their defense gave up 142 points last year which was 2nd best in Class 3A. Resurrection Christian makes them move from Class 3A down to Class 2A. Defense and Resurrection Christian go hand in hand and look for this unit to come in and quickly be a top defensive unit. Resurrection Christian returns 7 of their top 13 tacklers form a season ago but leadership will be the main question returning just 2 of their top 6 tacklers form last season. |
| Fort Lupton HS | Their defense gave up 215 points last year which was 17th best in Class 2A. Fort Lupton had a successful season a year ago going 5-4 and just missing out on the playoffs. This year Fort Lupton has its eyes on the playoffs and improving defensively is key. Fort Lupton returns 8 of their top 13 tacklers from a season ago including 3 of their top 6. Fort Lupton will need to play physical defense this year and keep improving and they will have a shot at the playoffs. |
| Alamosa HS | Their defense gave up 243 points last year which was 24th best in Class 2A. Alamosa made the playoffs last season and will look for another return trip. Alamosa will have some holes to fill returning just 7 of their top 13 tacklers from a year ago. What Alamosa does return is leadership returning 4 of their top 6 tacklers from last season. Alamosa will lean on their defense to improve this season. |
| La Junta HS | Their defense gave up 111 points last year which was 4th best in Class 2A. La Junta is normally a top defensive team year in and year out and don’t expect a change this season. La Junta will have plenty of holes to fill returning just 6 of their top 13 tacklers but they do have some key leadership back returning 2 of their top 5 tacklers. La Junta will look for their defense to be a top unit yet again. |
| Eaton HS | Their defense gave up 221 points last year which was 19th best in Class 2A. Eaton defensively was a top unit last season giving up just 18.4 ppg which would be a top 10 unit. Eaton defensively will have some key holes to fill returning just 5 of their top 13 tacklers. Eaton will do some reloading but have leadership back with 2 of their top 5 coming back. Look for Eaton to still be a top unit this season. |
| Elizabeth HS | Their defense gave up 111 points last year which was 4th best in Class 2A. Elizabeth will lean heavily on their defense this season losing key pieces offensively. Elizabeth will also have holes on defense returning 6 of their top 13 tacklers from a year ago. Elizabeth does have leadership back returning 3 of their top 5 tacklers from a year ago. |
| Defensive Unit Watch List: | Kent Denver, Montezuma-Cortez, University, D’Evelyn, Manitou Springs, Florence, Bayfield, Bennett, Strasburg, Lamar, Valley, Coal Ridge, Aspen, Moffat County |
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